The city where West Virginia started aims to be the city celebrating the biggest on the state’s 150th anniversary. The city of Wheeling is planning a full day of significant events for June 20th, recognizing the formation of our state. It’s fitting for a state which started from humble beginnings at the old Independence Hall in the downtown.
“This is where all of the historically significant events took place,” said Mayor Andy McKenzie. “We were the capitol of the state of West Virginia so this is a major event in the city of Wheeling to recognize our history.”
The celebration will include day long activities involving food, music, and history lessons which will stretch into the evening with fireworks. Governor Tomblin will be on hand along with performances by the West Virginia Symphony and West Virginia native Kathy Mattea. Wheeling is where the the first legislature of West Virginia gathered to create the state and the present day legislature will return there to reenact the event for three days.
“‘We’re going to be able to really relive the historical signifiicance of that day by having almost a reenactment of that day with the actual legislature here in Wheeling,” McKenzie said.
Wheeling has hosted the legislative interim meetings three times over the last several decades. McKenzie said his city has hosted the legislature more than any other West Virginia community with the exception of Charleston.
“Wheeling is the birthplace of the state of West Virginia,” said McKenzie. “If you look back on history, Wheeling had a major event on the 50th and the 100th, and we want to continue that trend on the 150th. We really believe the center of activity on that day should be in Wheeling, West Virginia.”